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CHICAGO -- The Chicago White Sox's need to pay cash for a backup outfielder Monday brings to light all of the issues that have continued to torment highly-regarded prospect Jared Mitchell.

The former first-round draft pick, whom the White Sox continue to hold in high regard, can't seem to catch a break and the White Sox's acquisition of Casper Wells from the Oakland Athletics on Monday only seems to highlight that.

The early-season injury to Dayan Viciedo, and the fact that the team started the season with only four outfielders, has brought the White Sox's major-league ready depth into focus. On the lower levels, the White Sox have some of the most impressive outfield talent around, but when it comes to players who can jump into the major leagues now, it isn't nearly as strong.

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CHICAGO -- There remains no timetable on Dayan Viciedo's return from the disabled list because of an oblique strain, but perhaps the Atlanta Braves' Freddie Freeman can give clues as to how long the Chicago White Sox left fielder might be sidelined.

Freeman reportedly will come off the disabled list today after also being out of action with an oblique strain.

Everybody is different, not to mention the difference in severity of injuries, but similarities do exist. The left-handed swinging Freeman injured his right side, while the right-handed hitting Viciedo injured his left side.

Freeman felt discomfort as far back as March 31 but was still swinging a hot bat before the Braves decided to put him on the DL on April 7. That makes it exactly three weeks from the onset of the injury to his return from the DL.

Viciedo's injury was different in that he wasn't experiencing discomfort for a while before he was shut down. Not being able to play for a week before going on the DL, like Freeman did, could suggest that Viciedo's injury was more severe.

Both Freeman and Viciedo had similar reactions to their injuries with each saying they didn't think things were serious.

General manager Rick Hahn already has suggested Viciedo will spend more than 15 days on the DL. He hasn't played since Thursday, which would make him eligible to return May 4 at Kansas City. Viciedo won't even begin baseball activities until the end of the week.

Following a three-week timetable, there is a chance Viciedo could be back for the May 10-12 home series against the Los Angeles Angels. Any longer could put his return during a two-city trip that begins May 13 in Minnesota and heads to Southern California for a series against the Angels.

CHICAGO -- Here's a quick look at the Chicago White Sox's 2-1 loss to the Minnesota Twins on Saturday afternoon at U.S. Cellular Field:

How it happened: The Twins scored the go-ahead run on a throwing error by Alexei Ramirez in the 10th inning. After a weather-related cancellation on Friday, right-hander Jake Peavy and Twins starter Vance Worley kicked off the abbreviated two-game series. Alejandro De Aza led off the White Sox's first inning with his fourth home run of the season, his fifth career leadoff homer. Twins outfielder Josh Willingham singled home the tying run in the third inning, scoring Brian Dozier.

Peavy kept his streak of good pitching alive. In seven innings, he allowed just one run on six hits with nine strikeouts to lower his ERA to 3.20. Worley also went seven in a no-decision.

Two Web Gem-caliber plays by the Sox in the eighth inning preserved a tie. Third baseman Conor Gillaspie made a diving backhand stop of a bases-loaded one-hopper and forced Chris Parmelee out at home with a perfect throw from his knees. Paul Konerko had an over-the-shoulder catch in foul territory to end the inning.

What it means: Peavy entered the game having defeated Minnesota in four straight starts, carrying a 1.73 ERA throughout those outings. As a team, the White Sox came into the contest with a .177 batting average with runners in scoring position (lowest in the American League). They were 0-for-3 with men in scoring position on Saturday. Adam Dunn is in a 1-for-36 slump and struck out three times in four at-bats.

Outside the box: Outfielder Dayan Viciedo was placed on the 15-day DL due to a strained oblique. Outfielder Blake Tekotte was recalled from Triple-A. Pitching coach Don Cooper returned to the team after missing 10 days with diverticulitis. The Sox had won 12 of their previous 14 games against the Twins.

Up next: On Sunday, RHP Gavin Floyd (0-3, 6.32) faces off against LHP Scott Diamond (0-1, 8.31) in the finale of this two-game series.

CHICAGO -- As expected, the Chicago White Sox put outfielder Dayan Viciedo on the 15-day disabled list Saturday and recalled outfielder Blake Tekotte from Triple-A Charlotte.

Viciedo was diagnosed with a left oblique strain. He injured himself on a swing Thursday night at Toronto and was immediately removed from the game.

“We’re hoping it’s two weeks,” manager Robin Ventura said. “Sometimes, those can be longer. He doesn’t necessarily have a patient or deliberate swing; it’s a violent swing. That’s the other thing. You let him go back out there and swing and it will probably be worse. You see people down for a long time.”

Viciedo continues to insist the injury isn’t serious, although he was wincing in pain immediately after he was removed from Thursday’s game.

“It’s very disappointing, but those are some of the things you can’t control,” Viciedo said through an interpreter. “I’m just going to take it one day at a time, and I’m going to work to get better so I can help the team as soon as possible.”

The power-hitting left fielder was batting .229 with a .417 slugging percentage over his first 14 games, hitting two home runs with five RBIs.

Tekotte, who was acquired in November from the San Diego Padres in exchange for pitcher Brandon Kloess, has 30 games of major league experience. The Missouri native was a third-round pick in the 2008 first-year player draft.

“[Tekotte] can run a little bit, so he could be running late, going in defensively, getting a start here and there,” Ventura said. “We’ll just have to move it around and make it work.”

CHICAGO -- Without a ton of depth, good health was imperative for the Chicago White Sox, and so far things have gone nothing like the team hoped.

Not only does John Danks continue to recover from last summer’s shoulder surgery, but Dayan Viciedo is now on the disabled list with an oblique strain, joining fellow Opening Day starter Gordon Beckham, who fractured the hamate bone in his left hand/wrist.

In addition to that, utility man Angel Sanchez has already gone to the disabled list, along with reliever Leyson Septimo.

“I don’t remember an April where we’ve had five guys on the DL, but that’s just part of the gig and that’s where we’re at right now,” general manager Rick Hahn said. “Fortunately, nothing seems that long term. We expect all of these guys to be back in the coming weeks and months. In the meantime, we’ll give some other guys opportunities.

“You’ve seen Conor Gillaspie make the most of his chance to get more regular at-bats, and here’s a chance now for guys like [Jordan] Danks, [Blake] Tekotte and Dewayne Wise to step up and play a larger role.”

While Viciedo was still trying to find his way in the early going, Beckham was off to a solid start before he was injured. Taking advantage of his spot toward the end of the White Sox’s order, Beckham was batting .316 after the first seven days, although he had yet to deliver an extra-base hit.

With Jeff Keppinger moving over to second base, Gillaspie has made the most of his opportunity at third base. He closed out the road trip on an 0-for-6 slide but was still batting .364 with a .485 slugging percentage at the start of play Saturday.

Gillaspie was acquired at the start of spring training as a nod to the club’s lack of depth. The White Sox’s system is not highly regarded by baseball publications, like Baseball America, that monitor the minor leagues.

Hahn was asked whether the injuries and a 7-9 start have tempted to tinker with the roster via trades.

“Given all the injuries, it’s been fairly easy to tinker and scratch that itch, so to speak,” Hahn said. “It certainly is a temptation to explore other options, but it’s way too soon to avert from the plan except when forced to due to injury.

“We’d rather get up to at least 6-8-week sample before you start drawing any sort of long-term conclusions, whether it be the guys who have gotten off to fantastic starts or the guys who have struggled early.”

Health issues haven’t been exclusive to the roster. Pitching coach Don Cooper missed the entire 10-game road trip with a digestive issue that required hospitalization in Washington D.C.

“It wasn’t a good road trip,” Ventura said of his club, which went 3-7 on its three-city swing. “Not only losing players, but you’re losing staff members. But again, it’s part of the game, and you just have to be able to have somebody come in and pick it up and keep going. That’s just part of baseball and being a long season and being able to make it work.”

CHICAGO -- As of now, the Chicago White Sox are not announcing a disabled list stint for Dayan Viciedo, who was injured while swinging at a pitch in Thursday night’s game at Toronto.

Viciedo was undergoing treatment Friday with team trainers for what is being listed as an oblique strain. He grabbed his left side immediately after swinging at a pitch in the late innings Thursday and was removed from the game. He could be seen in the dugout afterward wincing in pain.

As of now, Viciedo is listed as day to day.

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TORONTO -- The starting pitcher throws well, the bullpen keeps the score close and the lineup gets a clutch run or two to pull ahead late. It's a simple recipe for winning, yet obviously getting all three parts of the game working at the same time is easier said than done, as the Chicago White Sox could attest in the early part of this season.

On Tuesday against the Toronto Blue Jays, however, the Sox received two things -- quality pitching and key hits -- that have been in short supply for the club. Starter Dylan Axelrod gave the Sox six solid innings, limiting the Jays to two runs and keeping his team in the game despite a shaky final frame. After the bullpen did its characteristic superb job of keeping Toronto in check, the heart of the White Sox order delivered the go-ahead runs in the top of the ninth to put the club ahead for good in the 4-3 victory.

"Those are the big at-bats and we finally got the big hit," manager Robin Ventura said. "Again, it's a work in progress and you keep going at it over and over again. That's the kind of thing you're looking for."

Adam Dunn and Paul Konerko both drew walks to lead off the ninth, and after a Conor Gillaspie strikeout, Dayan Viciedo came to the plate. Viciedo had gone 0-for-3 against Jays starter Josh Johnson and fell behind 1-and-2 against reliever Steve Delabar. The slugger held steady against a close 95 mph fastball that just missed the strike zone and didn't chase a ball in the dirt, then blasted a 3-2 pitch into deep center field for an RBI double.

It was a much-needed big hit for Viciedo, who entered the game hitting just .184 for the season and was 1-for-7 with runners in scoring position. After a three-hit performance on Monday, and Tuesday's clutch double, there are signs the Cuban outfielder was turning things around.

"I was very calm and was concentrating at swinging at good pitches," Viciedo said through an interpreter. "I had to get a good pitch to hit here. I felt calm during that at-bat, different than the other ones. I trust the work I've been doing in the cage. I'm getting better slowly and I'm feeling better slowly but definitely I've stayed positive."

The winning run was scored by Konerko, who came home on a Hector Gimenez sacrifice fly. It was one of three runs for Konerko, who also scored from third on a wild pitch in the second and hit a solo homer in the seventh. While Gimenez's fly ball went fairly deep into right field, it was still a challenge for the less-than-speedy team captain.

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TORONTO -- The Chicago White Sox scored a pair of ninth-inning runs and then hung on for a 4-3 victory over the Toronto Blue Jays on Tuesday at the Rogers Centre.

How it happened: White Sox starter Dylan Axelrod and Jays starter Josh Johnson engaged in a pitchers' duel for much of the game, with each right-hander allowing two runs over six and seven innings, respectively. Adam Dunn and Paul Konerko led off the ninth with consecutive walks, paving the way for Dayan Viciedo to drive in a run on a long fly ball to center field. Konerko later came in to score the game winner on a Hector Gimenez sacrifice fly. Addison Reed allowed his first run of the season in the ninth to cut Chicago's lead to one, but the closer held on to record his fifth save.

What it means: The White Sox picked up their second road win of the season, improving their record to 2-6 away from U.S. Cellular Field this season. Konerko's home run in the seventh inning was the 425th of his career, putting him one away from tying Cubs great Billy Williams for 45th on the all-time list. Konerko scored three runs in a game for the first time since May 26, 2012.

Outside the box: Axelrod threw a quality start (six innings, two earned runs, seven hits, one walk, four strikeouts), and yet the right-hander came ever so close to avoiding damage altogether. Axelrod twice allowed two-out solo homers on 1-and-2 counts -- Colby Rasmus connected on a long ball in the second inning, and J.P. Arencibia went deep in the sixth to temporarily give Toronto the lead. The two homers were the first homers allowed by Axelrod this season, and he had given up just one home run over his previous 32 1/3 innings dating to last season.

Offbeat: Axelrod was aided by some quality glove work from the White Sox infielders. Alexei Ramirez made a nifty jumping grab of a Brett Lawrie line drive to end the fifth inning. Dunn snagged a liner the next inning, a scorcher off the bat of Maicer Izturis that went right to Dunn at first base. Dunn made the catch and then stepped on first to double off Rasmus for an unassisted double play.

Up next: The White Sox play the third game of their four-game series with the Blue Jays on Wednesday at 6:07 p.m. CT. After throwing seven shutout, one-hit innings in his previous start, left-hander Jose Quintana (0-0, 4.09 ERA) returns to the mound against fellow southpaw J.A. Happ (2-0, 3.48).

CHICAGO -- While the Chicago White Sox's Dayan Viciedo and Alex Rios have had to live with the label of “inconsistent” during their major league careers, both players delivered in Sunday’s 4-3 win over the Seattle Mariners.

A walk-off home run by Viciedo in the 10th inning was set up by Rios’ game-tying blast in the seventh.

“I guess I am seeing the ball very well,” Rios said “ I try to take a good approach at the plate and see it.”

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CHICAGO -- Dayan Viciedo hit a home run in the bottom of the 10th inning Sunday to give the Chicago White Sox a 4-3 victory over the Seattle Mariners.

How it happened: Viciedo’s game-winning shot was only fitting as the game shaped up as a bit of a home run challenge. The Mariners’ Michael Morse and the White Sox’s Adam Dunn traded off two-run home runs in the first inning. The Mariners’ Kendrys Morales hit a solo shot in the sixth, while Alex Rios matched that one inning later. It was Viciedo’s first career game-ending home run. The previous game-ending homer for the White Sox came from Jordan Danks last season.

What it means: If the White Sox showed anything in the opening series it’s that pitching and home run hitting can get it done for stretches. The White Sox will gladly take more pitching, but the consensus is that the offense is going to have to start stringing together hits in order to get consistent run production. The White Sox hit 11 home runs in the season-opening homestand, while giving up four.

Outside the box: The White Sox’s fielding woes are spreading. Gordon Beckham joined the error parade Sunday when he made a wide throw to first base in the eighth inning. It was the White Sox’s seventh error in the first six games. Last season, they led the major leagues by committing just 70 errors the entire season.

Off beat: Alex Rios has been making waves with his hot start. His long ball Sunday gave him home runs in three consecutive games for the first time in his career. On Saturday, when he went deep against Felix Hernandez, it was the first time since 2011 that somebody hit a home run against the Mariners’ ace on an 0-2 count. Adrian Beltre was the last to do it. The White Sox’s Josh Fields did it in 2007.

Up next: After a day off Monday, the White Sox will open a three-game interleague series at Washington against the Nationals. White Sox right-hander Jake Peavy (1-0, 1.50 ERA) will face Nationals left-hander Gio Gonzalez (1-0, 0.00) in Tuesday’s series opener.

CHICAGO -- The all-or-nothing Chicago White Sox, who hit five home runs over the first two games, are watching their strikeout totals rise quickly in the early going of the 2013 season.

In Thursday's 3-1 loss to the Kansas City Royals, the White Sox went down on strikes 12 times, including four from Dayan Viciedo and three more from Adam Dunn.

They finished the opening three-game series with 29 strikeouts, still less than the 36 the Los Angeles Angels recorded in their opening series against the Cincinnati Reds and well under the whopping 43 the Houston Astros had in three games against the Texas Rangers.

While adding Tyler Flowers to a lineup that already had Viciedo and Dunn, strikeouts were a concern. It's why the White Sox brought aboard Jeff Keppinger, who is known for his ability to make contact.

With the White Sox facing the Royals' Jeremy Guthrie, Sox manager Robin Ventura wasn't going to make much of a 12-strikeout day.

"I think there was some good pitching today," he said. "That's the way it goes. There were good contact hitters that struck out also. Tip your hat and go get them tomorrow."

Despite the fact that Dunn led baseball with 222 strikeouts last season, the Sox's combined strikeout total of 1,203 was only 18th most among all 30 major league teams. The White Sox averaged 7.4 strikeouts per game last season compared to their 9.7 average over the first three games this season.

CHICAGO -- Dayan Viciedo and Adam Dunn combined to strike out seven times Thursday and the White Sox dropped their first game of the season in a 3-1 defeat to the Kansas City Royals.

HOW IT HAPPENED: Without a long ball Thursday, the White Sox were unable to close out the sweep in the first series of the season. After scoring all six of their runs in the first two games via the home run, the White Sox could only manage to manufacture one run Thursday. Gavin Floyd was solid over six innings, but another outfield error contributed to the Royals’ three-run fifth inning.

WHAT IT MEANS: Any time Jeremy Guthrie wants to return to the National League, the White Sox would probably help with the travel arrangements. His one run allowed over six innings, mirrored what he did last season after coming over from the Colorado Rockies. In four starts against the White Sox in the second half of 2012, he gave up just one earned run, good for a 0.30 ERA over 29 2/3 innings.

OUTSIDE THE BOX: The White Sox got everything they could have hoped for from their first three starters. Floyd gave up two earned runs (three total) in his outing, a day after Jake Peavy gave up one earned run (two total). Chris Sale went 7 2/3 scoreless innings on Opening Day. The rotation has a combined 1.37 ERA after three games.

OFF BEAT: The Los Angeles Angels actually had more errors through the first three games with five, but the oddity with the White Sox’s four miscues is that all of them happen in the outfield. Alexei Ramirez was charged with one of the four, but that came when Dayan Viciedo bumped into him on a popup in shallow left field. Dayan Viciedo, Dewayne Wise and Alejandro De Aza have the other errors for a team that set a franchise-best mark for fielding percentage last season.

UP NEXT: The White Sox open a three-game series against the Mariners on Friday with left-hander Jose Quintana (6-6, 3.76 ERA in 2012) on the mound. Seattle will counter with right-hander Blake Beavan in the 7:10 p.m. start from U.S. Cellular Field.

CHICAGO – Forget about the three errors the Chicago White Sox made Wednesday, they still prefer to look at themselves as a solid defensive club.

Alexei Ramirez, Dayan Viciedo and Dewayne Wise all were charged with errors in a victory over the Kansas City Royals, with Viciedo figuring into Ramirez's miscue when he bumped into the shortstop on a popup.

"I think that obviously we proved it last year that we can be pretty good and I think we're very good again," said second baseman Gordon Beckham, who continued to show improvement on defense last season. "Obviously you make three errors in a game and it's not going to look like the best defense in the game, but I think that was kind of anomaly. That won't happen much, I know that."

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CHICAGO -- While multiple personalities ultimately will bring out the best in the Chicago White Sox, the first two games have been extremely one dimensional.

Four home runs Wednesday in a 5-2 victory over the Kansas City Royals gave them five long balls in their first two games and a perfect 2-0 record. All six runs the White Sox have scored this season have come on home runs, leaving their manufacturing capabilities unseen so far.

"That's the way we've done it since I've been here," said starter Jake Peavy, who benefited from the power show. "We're going to live and die with the long ball and probably do it again this year. It was nice to have some run support."

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CHICAGO -- Jake Peavy weaved his way through six solid innings, and the Chicago White Sox used four home runs to defeat the Kansas City Royals 5-2 on Wednesday for their second victory in two tries.

HOW IT HAPPENED: Tyler Flowers, Adam Dunn, Dayan Viciedo and Alexei Ramirez all went deep in the victory. With a double in the sixth inning, Paul Konerko tied Frank Thomas for third on the White Sox's all-time hit list with 2,136. Flowers now has a home run in each of the first two games. Dunn tied Duke Snider for 48th on the all-time home run list with 407.

WHAT IT MEANS: So far the White Sox are thriving with the long ball. All six of their runs over the first two games were supplied via home runs with four solo shots and one two-run blast. Not that anybody is complaining, but the White Sox have yet to show their ability to manufacture runs. That was the hope when putting Jeff Keppinger behind leadoff man Alejandro De Aza, with guys like Alex Rios, Dunn and Konerko heading to the plate next.

OUTSIDE THE BOX: Viciedo managed to neutralize himself in Wednesday's game. On defense in the third inning, the left fielder bumped into Ramirez at shortstop with the ball dropping for an error on Ramirez. Viciedo made his own error two batters later allowing a run to score. In the sixth he just missed making a spectacular catch on a hit down the line by Alex Gordon, who later scored. But his two-run home run in the fourth inning covered those runs.

OFF BEAT: The White Sox had the attack of the No. 2 in Wednesday's game. At 2:22 p.m. of the second game of the season, the White Sox had two runs on two hits with two errors. There were also two outs when Viciedo hit a two-run home run into the bullpen in left. There was no word on whether the home run cleared the fence by two feet.

UP NEXT: The White Sox will send right-hander Gavin Floyd (12-11, 4.29 ERA in 2012) to the mound Thursday in the third game of the season. He will be opposed by Royals right-hander Jeremy Guthrie (5-3, 3.16) in the 1:10 p.m. start from U.S. Cellular Field.